Photosynthesis and root growth in Spartina alterniflora in relation to root zone aeration |
| |
Authors: | SR Pezeshki |
| |
Institution: | (1) Division of Ecology and Organismal Biology, Department of Biology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152, U.S.A |
| |
Abstract: | Spartina alterniflora Lois. is a dominant species growing in intermediate and saline marshes of the US Gulf coast and Atlantic
coastal marshes. S. alterniflora plants were subjected to a range of soil redox potential (Eh) conditions representing a well
aerated to reduced conditions in a rhizotron system under controlled environmental conditions. The low soil Eh resulted in
inhibition of root elongation shortly after treatment initiation. Root elongation was reduced as soil Eh approached values
below ca. +350 mV. Substantial decrease in root elongation was noted when soil Eh fell below +200 mV. Generally, net photosynthetic
rate (PN) decreased as soil Eh was reduced, with substantial reductions in PN found when Eh approached negative values. Average
PN was reduced to 87, 64, and 44% of control under +340, +245, and -180 mV treatments, respectively. The reductions in root
elongation and PN in response to low soil Eh indicated the adverse effects of low soil Eh on plant functioning and the need
for periods of soil aeration that allow plants to resume normal functioning. Thus periods of drainage allowing soil aeration
during the growing season appear to be critical to S. alterniflora by providing favorable conditions for root growth and gas
exchange with important implications for plant carbon fixation.
This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
| |
Keywords: | anaerobiosis leaf conductance plant-soil interactions redox potential rhizotron wetland plants |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|